JET MAGAZINE
Sept. 11, 2006
By Krys Longan

Author Crystal McCrary Debuts As Executive Producer Of Independent Film 'Dirty Laundry'

As a New York Times best-selling author of two books, co-host of BET J's "My 2 Cents" and an advocate for childhood literacy and women's issues, Crystal McCrary Anthony, Esq., has proven that she's got skills.

Now, the 36-year-old mother of two (6-year-old Cole and 4-year-old Ella) has affixed a new profession to her portfolio.

She's executive producer of the independent film Dirty Laundry.

"This is my first film that I have executive-produced to fruition," McCrary said in a telephone interview with JET.

Now that she's gotten her feet wet, McCrary Anthony won't argue that producing a film is very involved.

"It's similar to birthing a child," she laughed. "You really do anything and everything to usher the project, the film, to fruition."

The movie, which has a star-studded cast including Rockmond Dunbar, Loretta Devine, Jenifer Lewis, Terri J. Vaughn and comedienne Sommore, is a new-age prodigal son "dramedy" that centers on a Southern family dealing with secrets that are revealed when their long-lost son comes home and comes out.

"It touched on that common theme among so many families of what separates us from our family, and what can cause so much pain within families, that ultimately needs to be addressed - whatever that issue is," McCrary Anthony said.

The film, written and directed by Maurice Jamal, has been on a multiple-city tour, including EBONY Magazine's 3rd Annual Hollywood in Harlem Festival.

The movie won best feature and best actor at the American Black Film Festival in Miami, and is expected to be released in 2007. McCrary Anthony also is looking forward to her third novel, which is untitled, to be released in the fall of 2007.